Initiation Card with Bell, c. 1600

Initiation cards or tsakali are miniature paintings used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals to consecrate a temple or to give an initiation. Tsakali cards typically come in large sets numbering as many as 100. This card displayed no doubt came from such a set.

Cards of esteemed teachers or Lamas and ceremonial objects such as this bell could be used in a number of ritual situations such as the transmission of teachings, substitutes for ceremonial items and facilitating visualizations.